Invitation (Uhm Jung-hwa album)

Last updated

Invitation
Uhm Jung-hwa Invitation.png
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 1, 1998 (1998-07-01)
Recorded1998
StudioSeoul Studio, Dream Factory
Genre K-pop, dance
Length43:34
Language Korean
Label PolyGram
Producer Kwon Jeong-woo
Uhm Jung-hwa chronology
After Love
(1997)
Invitation
(1998)
005.1999.06
(1999)
Singles from Invitation
  1. "Poison"
  2. "Invitation"
  3. "Finding Hidden Image"

Invitation is the fourth studio album by South Korean singer Uhm Jung-hwa. It was released on July 1, 1998, through PolyGram. Primarily a dance record, [1] the album features contributions from writers and producers Joo Young-hoon, Jae Chong of Solid, and Park Jin-young. Invitation continued to establish Uhm's image as a fashion icon.

Contents

The album produced a string of hit singles: "Poison", "Invitation" (초대;Chodae) and "Finding Hidden Image" (숨은 그림 찾기;Sumeun geurim chatgi). The former two became signature songs for Uhm; in early-2015, they reappeared on the Gaon Digital Chart at number one and number nineteen, respectively. Invitation was a commercially successful release, becoming the first number one album on South Korea's new monthly charts, recording 180,000 copies in August 1998. It eventually moved more than 450,000 copies. The album was supported by Uhm's debut live concert, titled Temptation of a Thousand Years, in November 1998.

Background and development

Uhm recruited songwriter Joo Young-hoon to work on the release, following the unexpected success of "Rose of Betrayal" from her previous studio album, After Love, which he wrote and compose. [2] Joo contributed two songs to Invitation: "Poison" and "Working Girl". Uhm initially hated "Poison" and complained about its trot influence, but nevertheless she "bit the bullet" and released it as the album's lead single, greatly exceeding expectations. [3] The song was originally intended for the girl group Baby V.O.X., with more of a hip-hop rhythm. [4] The song was re-arranged with a faster beat and its lyrics were rewritten to better suit Uhm. [5]

Singer and producer Park Jin-young, now better known as the founder of JYP Entertainment, wrote the album's title track, "Invitation", following a drinking party between the two. Uhm phoned him the next day and asked, "So when can I get Mr. Jin-young's song? You promised to give me a song yesterday". Park, who drank too much and couldn't remember the situation, decided he couldn't backpedal on his word and composed "Invitation" in a haste. [6] In 2019, Park remarked: "It was created by making use of all the feelings. It was made only for Uhm Jung-hwa." [7]

Singles and promotion

The album's lead single, "Poison", is an electronic dance track influenced by techno and hip-hop, [8] [9] [ unreliable source ] with a music video that featured actor Cha Seung-won when he first worked as a fashion model. The album's second single and title track, "Invitation", is a minimalist production backed by a disco rhythm, while its lyrics express a fascination with the opposite sex. [8] [10]

Uhm Jung-hwa performed her debut live concert, Temptation of a Thousand Years, on November 28 and 29, 1998, at the Education and Culture Center in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, with two concerts on both days. [11] The concert was themed as to declare a "transformation" from "an innocent girl to a mature woman", with Uhm's intent to create a "dramatic" stage with a storyline—similar to productions by American singers Madonna and Michael Jackson. [12] [13] Kim Gap-sik of DongA commented that she resembled the Roman god Janus, in that Uhm showcased both a "seemingly subtle sexy look" and a barefaced "girl next door" persona over its duration. [12] The concert was especially notable for showing the uncut "Invitation" music video with Uhm's upper body nudity scenes. Cable channel Catch One broadcast the concert on November 30, 1998, and it was later released on VCD. [14]

Legacy

Uhm's presentation during this era was compared to that of British actress Audrey Hepburn. Audrey Hepburn 1956 (cropped).jpg
Uhm's presentation during this era was compared to that of British actress Audrey Hepburn.

Invitation continued the stylistic transformations first exhibited by Uhm on her breakthrough single, "Rose of Betrayal". The album cover for Invitation positions Uhm against a red backdrop, peering through green foliage and sporting a straight, middle-part bob. Uhm maintained the hairstyle during promotions for "Poison", which became a trend among Korean women, prompting cosmetologists across the country to study "how to cut short hair well". [15]

Esquire Korea fashion editor Shim Jeong-hee remarked that Uhm cultivated a "luxurious yet youthful" atmosphere reminiscent of the "Hepburn look". [15] In contrast, an "alluring and mysterious" image was introduced for the album's second single, "Invitation", in which Uhm wore her hair long, and performed with a hand fan in black dresses. [15] Kim Ji-soo of Allure Korea came to a similar conclusion, singling out "Invitation" for its "understated [sexiness]" and "Poison" for its more "charismatic" look as two key reinventions in Uhm's career. [16]

In a retrospective article, American music magazine Billboard placed "Invitation" at number 49 in its list of the "98 Greatest Songs of 1998", with writer Tamar Herman noting its "dreamy sensuality" that "[allures] in its breathy vocal delivery and sleek synths". [17] In 2021, the online music service Melon and the newspaper Seoul Shinmun collaborated on a "100 K-pop Masterpieces" special feature, which listed "Invitation" at number 67 as a "foothold" for Uhm's "avant-garde energy and a major source of queer aesthetics tributes". [10] "Invitation" is frequently covered, with notable performances by soloists Ivy, Ga-in, Sunmi, Tiffany Young, actress Lee Sung-kyung, and Park Jin-young himself. The 2014 single "Something" by girl group Girl's Day took influence from both "Invitation" and the similarly JYP-penned "Coming of Age Ceremony" by Park Ji-yoon. [18] "Invitation" was covered and reworked by rapper Miryo, a member of the girl group Brown Eyed Girls, on their seventh studio album Revive (2019). Miryo's version features Uhm Jung-hwa herself.

A short sample of "Poison" appears at the end of American rock band Rage Against the Machine's 1999 single "Sleep Now in the Fire", after it was picked up from a local Korean radio station broadcast by the amplifier of their guitarist, Tom Morello. In 2018, appearing on KBS 2TV's Entertainment Weekly, Uhm picked "Poison" as one of her top seven songs, at second place. She stated that this brief period, starting with "Poison" and ending with 1999's "Molla", were the singles that earned her the most revenue, joking that she stopped receiving any income from her music after that. [19] In 2020, the song was remade by former Bestie member Dahye as her debut solo single. The release featured direct involvement from its original writer, Joo Young-hoon, who re-arranged it in a Latin music style. [20] In 2023, American music magazine Rolling Stone placed "Poison" at number 38 on its list of "100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music", with James Gui naming it "techno-trot’s most iconic anthem". [21]

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Again (Never Gonna Give Up)" (다시; Dashi) Lee Hyun-do  [ ko ]Lee Hyun-doLee Hyun-do3:50
2."Finding Hidden Image" (숨은 그림 찾기; Sumeun Geurim Chatgi)Kim Young-ah Jae Chong, Benson MinJae Chong3:24
3."Cactus" (선인장; Seoninjang) Shim Hyun-bo  [ ko ] Jung Jae-hyung Jung Jae-hyung4:51
4."Poison" Joo Young-hoon Joo Young-hoonJoo Young-hoon3:44
5."Will Forget You" (널 모를께; Neol Moleulkke) Park Joo-yeon  [ ko ] Hwang Se-jun Hwang Se-jun4:10
6."Invitation" (초대; Chodae) Park Jin-young Park Jin-youngPark Jin-young3:54
7."Regrets" (후회; Huhoe)Cheon Seong-ilCheon Seong-ilKim Woo-jin3:53
8."Last Favor" (마지막 부탁; Majimag Butag)Kim Kyung-yeonLee Cheol-wonLee Cheol-won4:04
9."Until the Day of Living" (살아있는 그날까지; Sarainneun Geunalkkaji)Kim Min-jong Cho Kyu-man  [ ko ]Cho Kyu-man4:05
10."Working Girl"Joo Young-hoonJoo Young-hoonJoo Young-hoon3:42
11."Tears" (눈물; Nunmul)Lee Hyun-doLee Hyun-doLee Hyun-do3:57
Total length:43:34

Charts

Monthly charts

Chart (1998)Peak
position
South Korean Albums (MIAK) [22] 1

Yearly charts

Chart (1998)Position
South Korean Albums (MIAK) [23] 13

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Hyori</span> South Korean singer (born 1979)

Lee Hyo-ri is a South Korean singer, record producer, activist, actress and television presenter. She debuted as a member of group Fin.K.L in 1998, which became one of the most popular girl groups in South Korea during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Aside from Fin.K.L, she has also participated in several project groups, including the Refund Sisters and SSAK3 in 2020.

<i>Stylish...</i> 2003 studio album by Lee Hyori

Stylish... is the debut solo studio album by South Korean recording artist Lee Hyori. It marked her solo debut since becoming a member of girl group Fin.K.L in 1998. The album was released through DSP Media on August 13, 2003, and was distributed by CJ E&M Music. It is primarily a pop and R&B record containing influences from hip-hop, featuring songwriting contributions from various musicians including MayBee, Won Tae-yeon, Yoon Il-sang, and Lee Hyun-do of Deux.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uhm Jung-hwa</span> South Korean singer and actress

Uhm Jung-hwa is a South Korean singer, actress and dancer. Uhm is considered to be one of the most influential women in the Korean entertainment industry, finding success in both music and film. Her legacy and career reinventions have given her the nickname of "Korean Madonna".

g.o.d South Korean boy band

Groove Over Dose, known by the acronym g.o.d, is a South Korean boy band formed by SidusHQ. Debuting in 1999, the group became one of the most popular boy bands of the early 2000s in South Korea. The members had gone on to solo careers in the entertainment industry after indefinitely discontinuing group activity in 2005 following the departure of a member. However, they regrouped as a quintet and made a comeback in July 2014. Although the group is largely known for their "story telling" lyrical style and signature blend of R&B and rap, their repertoire features a diverse array of genres ranging from hip hop to funk.

<i>Singles</i> (2003 film) 2003 South Korean romantic comedy film

Singles is a 2003 South Korean romantic comedy film starring Jang Jin-young, Uhm Jung-hwa, Lee Beom-soo, and Kim Joo-hyuk. It is based on the novel Christmas at Twenty-nine by Japanese writer Kamato Toshio. The film was one of the highest grossing Korean films of all time earning 2,203,164 admissions nationwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K.Will</span> South Korean singer

Kim Hyung-soo, better known by his stage name K.Will (Korean: 케이윌), is a South Korean singer. The name is a combination of the first letter 'K' of his last name 'Kim' and the English word 'Will', which means will. He debuted in 2007 and has since become known for his chart-topping ballads. He has also been dubbed the "Prince of OST" for his frequent Korean drama soundtrack appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jung Yong-hwa</span> South Korean singer and actor (born 1989)

Jung Yong-hwa, also known mononymously as Yonghwa, is a South Korean singer, musician and actor. He is the leader, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band CNBLUE. Jung made his television debut in You're Beautiful (2009), and has since starred in television dramas Heartstrings (2011), Marry Him If You Dare (2013), The Three Musketeers (2014), The Package (2017) and Sell Your Haunted House (2021). On the music front, Jung also made his solo debut with the album One Fine Day in 2015.

<i>005.1999.06</i> 1999 studio album by Uhm Jung-hwa

005.1999.06 is the fifth studio album by the South Korean singer and actress Uhm Jung-hwa. It spawned four hit singles and earned Uhm Golden Disk Awards. First released by Universal Music Korea on June 17, 1999, the album explores the dance genre, ranging from 1970s style disco to house dance, and beyond. Uhm worked with various South Korean producers and songwriters on the album, including Kim Chang-hwan, Joo Young-hoon, and Jung Jae-hyung among others.

<i>Never Ending Story</i> (film) 2012 South Korean film

Never Ending Story is a 2012 South Korean romantic comedy film directed by Jung Yong-joo. Uhm Tae-woong and Jung Ryeo-won star as a mismatched couple who meet at a hospital where they have both been diagnosed with terminal illnesses and decide to spend the rest of their lives together. Kross Pictures remade the movie in Vietnamese in 2018 as 100 Days of Sunshine.

<i>A Hundred Year Legacy</i> 2013 South Korean television series

A Hundred Year Legacy is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Eugene and Lee Jung-jin. Revolving around themes of food, love and family, the warm human drama is about a modest Seoul noodle house that's been operated by the same family for three generations. It aired on MBC from January 5 to June 23, 2013 on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:50 for 50 episodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bang Min-ah</span> South Korean singer and actress (born 1993)

Bang Min-ah, better known by the mononym Minah, is a South Korean singer and actress. She debuted as a member of the girl group Girl's Day in 2010 and released her first solo album, I Am a Woman Too, in 2015. She has acted in various films and television series, including lead roles in Beautiful Gong Shim (2016) and My Absolute Boyfriend (2019).

<i>A Witchs Love</i> 2014 South Korean television series

A Witch's Love is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Uhm Jung-hwa and Park Seo-joon. It aired on cable channel tvN from April 14 to June 10, 2014 every Monday and Tuesday at 21:40 (KST) for 16 episodes.

<i>Wonderful Nightmare</i> 2015 South Korean film by Kang Hyo-jin

Wonderful Nightmare is a 2015 South Korean fantasy romantic comedy film starring Uhm Jung-hwa and Song Seung-heon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joo Young-hoon</span> South Korean singer, songwriter, TV personality

Joo Young-hoon is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and television personality. He began his career as a songwriter in the 1990s, composing hit songs for artists including Uhm Jung-hwa, Turbo and Koyote. He debuted as a singer in 1997 with the album Ballad, which he followed with Nostalgia in 2000, and Love Concerto in 2001.

<i>Rustic Period</i> 2002–2003 South Korean television series

Rustic Period (Korean: 야인시대) is a South Korean television series aired from July 29, 2002, to September 30, 2003, on SBS. It focused on the life of historical figure Kim Du-han, a former mob leader turned politician, and the tumultuous modern history of Korea from the Japanese occupation to Park Chung-hee regime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saram Entertainment</span> South Korean Entertainment company

Saram Entertainment (Korean: 사람엔터테인먼트) is an entertainment company in South Korea, founded by Lee So-young in 2006 and partakes in artist management and film production.

<i>On & Off</i> (TV series) South Korean television program

On & Off is a South Korean television program that aired on tvN.

<i>Our Blues</i> 2022 South Korean television series

Our Blues is a 2022 South Korean television series starring Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-a, Cha Seung-won, Lee Jung-eun, Uhm Jung-hwa, Han Ji-min, and Kim Woo-bin. The series revolves around the sweet and bitter lives of people at the end, climax, or beginning of life, and depicts their stories in an omnibus format against the backdrop of Jeju Island. It premiered on tvN on April 9, 2022, and aired every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST) with 20 episodes. It is available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions. It is also one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history.

<i>Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong</i> 2004 South Korean film

Mr Handy Mr Hong is a 2004 South Korean romantic comedy. The movie's long title was inspired by the opening theme song of the Japanese anime Astroganger and is currently the second longest title for a Korean film.

<i>Doctor Cha</i> 2023 South Korean television series

Doctor Cha is a 2023 South Korean television series starring Uhm Jung-hwa in the title role, along with Kim Byung-chul, Myung Se-bin, and Min Woo-hyuk. It aired on JTBC from April 15 to June 4, 2023, every Saturday and Sunday at 22:30 (KST) for 16 episodes. It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and on Netflix in selected regions.

References

  1. "작년 하반기 가요.팝 음반 판매량 집계 분석". ETNews (in Korean). January 20, 1999. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  2. "엄정화". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  3. "[피플Q|엄정화의 연기 노래 사랑] '결혼은 미친 짓'은 못 잊을 영화". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). April 12, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  4. "'불후' 주영훈 "엄정화 '포이즌', 원래 베이비복스 주려했다"". 뉴스1 (in Korean). September 19, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  5. 주영훈 “엄정화 ’포이즌’, 원래 베이비복스 주려 만들어”(불후의명곡). newsen.com (in Korean). Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  6. "박진영 "엄정화 흥행곡 '초대', 술김에 약속해서 준 곡" ('컬투쇼')[종합]". 모바일네이트뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  7. "'불후의 명곡' 박진영, 정세운 향한 칭찬…엄정화 '초대' 탄생 비화 공개". 톱스타뉴스 (in Korean). December 10, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "엄정화". Melon (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  9. "K-Pop Rewind: Uhm Jung Hwa 'Poison'". KpopStarz. May 30, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Melon". Melon (in Korean). Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  11. "케이블TV 캐치원, 엄정화 콘서트 중계". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). November 27, 1998. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  12. 1 2 "문화마당/콘서트]엄정화,28~29일 서울교육문화회관서". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). November 24, 1998. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  13. "[방송가] 엄정화, 28~29일 콘서트..서울교육문화회관 대극장". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). November 24, 1998. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  14. "[VCD] 엄정화 - 천년의 유혹 (Live Concert Music Video CD)". Aladin (in Korean). January 1, 1999. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  15. 1 2 3 "[FOCUS] 엄정화 연구│퀸 오브 스타일". Esquire Korea (in Korean). July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  16. "여왕의 귀환". Allure Korea (in Korean). January 20, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  17. Billboard Staff (May 29, 2018). "The 98 Greatest Songs of 1998: Critics' Picks". Billboard . Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. "'컴백' 걸스데이 "'초대'·'성인식 잇는 섹시곡 되고파"". 이데일리 (in Korean). January 3, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  19. "'연중' 엄정화 "수입 가장 높은 곡? '포이즌'부터 '몰라'"". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). January 5, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  20. "다혜 솔로 데뷔곡 '포이즌', 원작자 주영훈 직접 지원사격 나선다". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). September 8, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  21. "The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music". Rolling Stone. July 20, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  22. 8월 가요 음반판매량집계 [August Music Album Sales Ranking] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on October 21, 1999. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  23. 한국영상음반협회 / 집계일:1998년 9월10일 [Recording Industry Association of Korea / Count Date: September 10, 1998]. Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on September 23, 2001. Retrieved November 27, 2014.